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Slice of PB Dining Life: Natacha Koblova

When deciding what to serve at a recent small dinner party at home, Natacha Koblova, the Palm Beach-area branch manager for an international French cultural organization, consulted her collection of cookbooks by French chefs and food writers.

Jacques Pepin’s recipe for salmon en croute seemed like a fine idea—and it ultimately delighted her dinner guests—although recipes by Joel Robuchon, for instance, or Ginette Mathiot, the famous French food scribe whose “Je Sais Cuisiner” sold millions of copies, would have suited nicely, too.

“I just keep practicing one recipe after another,” Koblova says. “I had a wonderful gift recently: A friend brought me three cookbooks from France. One has a recipe for (savory) profiteroles you can serve as hors d’oeuvres. The presentation is so cute and I served them at my dinner party, too.”

For Koblova, paying homage to French culture comes naturally. Later this week, she’ll celebrate that at a party that marks the 2nd anniversary of what she was instrumental in founding: the Palm Beach County arm of Alliance Francaise South Florida, one of nonprofit Alliance Franciase’s 1,100-plus chapters worldwide. The alliance seeks to build bonds through French culture.

The April 5 open-to-the-public anniversary party takes place at 6:30 p.m. at The Chesterfield (363 Cocoanut Row). The Consul General of France, Gael de Miasonneuve, will be there, as will Delegue General of Alliance Francaise USA Jean-Francois Chenin. The evening will feature French songs by musician Michelet and complimentary St. Germain liqueur cocktails.

“Being a part of Alliance Francaise is perfect for me—I love all things related to French language and culture,” says Koblova, who’s originally from Russia and holds advanced degrees in teaching and foreign-language studies. “All that we do (including French-language classes, French movie screenings, monthly book discussions with literary experts, and Norton Museum of Art exhibition tours in French) just keeps getting bigger and bigger. So many people have an interest in French language and culture.”

And, perhaps, in traditional and contemporary French cuisine. When Koblova dines out in Palm Beach, her favorite restaurants include Café Boulud (“The food is very, very good, but it’s the ambience I like most, especially on the patio”). For a quick bite, she may opt for an almond croissant at Champs Elysees Bakery or plum tart at Blue Provence.

“I also love Asian and Indian food,” says Koblova. “Really, I like anything that is very good and presented well.”

For lunch, she frequents restaurants near her Alliance Francaise office (100 S. Dixie Highway, #302 in downtown West Palm Beach, including Leila (“I like the chicken kebob”) and Kabuki (“I get sushi and I always try for a variety”).

“Otherwise, I try to cook myself. I have audio cookbooks, too. Cooking has become an inspiration for me.”

To become a member of the Palm Beach branch of Alliance Francaise South Florida, you can join at this Thursday’s 2nd anniversary celebration at The Chesterfield or online at http://www.afmiami.org/paypal-wpb.htm.